updated 12:20 pm EDT, Mon March 11, 2013

Hon Hai, TSMC each adding 5,000 new jobs

Apple suppliers performed poorly during February, says Topeka Capital analyst Brian White. The claim is based on an "Apple Monitor," a collection of suppliers the analyst tracks as a way of gauging Apple's performance. Collectively the companies were down 31 percent in February, versus a normal 8 percent drop for the month. The results are bad even when considering the effect of the Chinese New Year, White says -- "the worst February we have on record."

The whole industry is said to be suffering though, not just Apple. The most important Apple supplier not included in the Apple Monitor, Hon Hai -- better known as Foxconn -- fell 25 percent month-over-month. Hon Hai also produces goods for a number of other Western corporations, likely making it difficult to use as a barometer for Apple.

Hon Hai and another supplier linked to Apple, TSMC, are however each adding about 5,000 more workers, according to Taiwanese paper the Economic Daily. Recruiting notices were posted at a recent event meant for graduating university students. Most of Hon Hai's new jobs are expected to be in research and development for automated production, e-commerce, and robots, while TSMC is reportedly focusing on equipment managers.

Stock manipulation?

Why how?

I'm having trouble understanding this. Just a month ago Apple had no inventory for many products. Everything that was made was sold right away. Demand was exceeding supply. Is this still true or partially true? I'm not sure if these percentage drops alluded to in the article are monetary measurements but I'll assume so. I realize margins have compressed a bit to under 40% for iDevices but they are still very high compared to the competitors. I'd be a bit cautious about making judgements on this info until we have more of they why and how.

down 31 percent in February?

I'm having trouble understanding the meaning of "down 31 percent in February". Was it sales? stock prices? profits? margins? If it is stock prices, the companies did not suffer; shareholders did. Apple is still make record profits and cash flows. The company is doing great. Only shareholders are suffering.